Dated - September 8, 2016
World Physiotherapy Day takes place today –Thursday 8th September.
The overarching theme for World Physiotherapy Day each year is Movement for Health which aims to highlight the importance of movement and exercise for health benefits. This year’s theme Add Life to Years focuses on the important role that physiotherapists play in healthy ageing.
According to a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) World Report on Ageing And Health “maintenance of functional ability has the highest importance” for older people. WCPT which is the world professional organisation for physiotherapy has played a significant role in the consultations which resulted in the new WHO ageing and health strategy.
Data from the Central Statistics Office in Ireland shows that the population of those aged 65 years and over is projected to increase very significantly from its 2011 level of 532,000 to close to 1.4 million by 2046. The population of those aged 80 years of age and over is set to rise even more dramatically, increasing from 128,000 in 2011 to between 484,000 and 470,000 in 2046.
Being active on a regular basis has many health benefits as we get older, including reducing risk of age-related falls and improving bone and joint health. 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 will have a fall. The number of falls in Ireland can be reduced by increasing awareness of falls risks and using physiotherapist-delivered tailored exercise programmes. Fitter older adults also have better cognitive function, with even gentle exercise helping to reduce stress, ease depression and anxiety, and enhance mental well-being
A total of 150 minutes per week (30 minutes, 5 days a week) of moderate intensity exercise is recommended for adults over the age of 65. It can prevent many of the health problems that start to present as we age. Not doing any physical activity can be bad for you, irrespective of your age or health condition. Keep in mind, some physical activity is better than none at all.
As our students return to RCSI for a new academic year, the School of Physiotherapy ensures that our physiotherapy graduates are well equipped to meet the physical activity challenges faced by our aging population and to provide advice and guidance. We invite staff and students to visit our noticeboard on the first floor corridor beside the Exam hall to learn more about the benefits of being active as we all get older.
